envelope for a cd and a blank thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a envelope or blank for the making the envelope, wherein the envelope is specifically adapted for mailing computer readable medium such as CDs or DVDs. The envelope and blank are particular suited for sorting using high speed sorting machinery and are characterised by a central storage region for accommodating the medium that is stiffened relative to sections of the envelope adjacent to the storage region.

1 . An envelope or mail piece for mailing a computer readable medium such as CDs or DVDS, the envelope having a front panel, a back panel, an openable flap that overlaps at least part of the front panel when closed and four edges in the form of two opposite side edges, a bottom edge and an upper edge, the bottom edge being formed by a first fold line at a junction of the front panel and back panel, the upper edge being formed by a second fold line at a junction of the back panel and the openable flap, and the envelope having a storage region that can accommodate computer readable media that is flanked by two side regions, the side regions containing or abutting the side edges, and wherein the storage region has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one or both of the side regions. 
   
   
       2 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage region for the media is centrally located between the side regions or side edges. 
   
   
       3 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein the envelope withstands loads up to 1500 gms (grams), in a longitudinal direction from one side edge to another side edge, without substantial bending of the envelope transverse to the longitudinal direction of the envelope. 
   
   
       4 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein the envelope includes a stiffening element or formation in or that aligns with the storage region. 
   
   
       5 . The envelope according to  claim 4 , wherein the stiffening element includes one or more crease, rib, flange, or insert that is incorporated or fixed to the envelope in the storage region. 
   
   
       6 . The envelope according to  claim 4 , wherein the stiffening element is a crease, rib, flange or insert that extends in a direction transverse to the side edges of the envelope. 
   
   
       7 . The envelope according to  claim 4 , wherein the stiffening element includes two or more than two creases that extend along the upper or bottom edges of the envelope that align with the storage region. 
   
   
       8 . The envelope according to  claim 7 , wherein the side regions located either side of the storage region have only one crease at the upper and bottom edges of the envelope. 
   
   
       9 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of the side regions of the envelope varies across the side regions. 
   
   
       10 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of the side regions increases in a direction away from the side edges toward the storage region. 
   
   
       11 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of one or a combination of the front or back panels or openable flap extends across the storage region and only partly extends across one or more of the side regions. 
   
   
       12 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the front and back panels recedes inwardly of the side edges of the envelope across the side regions. 
   
   
       13 . The envelope according to  claim 1 , wherein the envelope also includes at least one internal panel that is disposed between the front and back panel, and wherein the internal panel extends at least party across the storage region. 
   
   
       14 . The envelope according to  claim 13 , wherein the internal panel extends partly across one or more of the side regions. 
   
   
       15 . The envelope according to  claim 13 , wherein the internal panel has edges that taper or recede inwardly away from the side edges of the envelope across the side regions. 
   
   
       16 . The envelope according to  claim 13 , wherein the internal panel forms a pocket with either one or both of the front and back panels of the envelope in which the disc media can be received. 
   
   
       17 . The envelope according to  claim 13 , wherein the internal panel is joined to one of the front or back panels by a fold line having a gap or cut out that provides an opening into the pocket via which the disc media can be placed in the pocket. 
   
   
       18 . The envelope according to  claim 13 , wherein the internal panel includes three sub-panels of which the first sub-panel is joined to the front panel along a third fold line and folded inwardly (or downwardly) between the front and back panels, the second sub-panel is joined to the first sub-panel along a fourth fold line and folded inwardly (or upwardly) between the front panel and the first sub-panel, and the third sub-panel is joined to the second sub-panel along a fifth fold line and folded downwardly between the second sub-panel and the front panel. 
   
   
       19 . The envelope according to  claim 18 , wherein any one or a combination of the first, second or third sub-panels extends longitudinally across the storage region and tapers from the side edges of the envelope across the side regions. 
   
   
       20 . A blank for making an envelope, wallet or mail piece for mailing a computer readable medium such as a CD or DVD, the blank having:
 front and back panels that are joined together along a first fold line that, when the blank is made into an envelope, forms a bottom edge of an envelope made from the blank;   an openable flap that is joined to the back panel along a second fold line that, when the blank is made into an envelop, forms an upper edge of an envelope made from the blank;   wherein a storage region disposed between the front the back panels for accommodating a computer readable medium can be formed when the blank is made into an envelope, and wherein the storage region is stiffened relative to sections of the blank adjacent to the storage region.   
   
   
       21 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein the storage region is centrally located of the blank. 
   
   
       22 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein the envelope includes a stiffening element or formation in the storage region. 
   
   
       23 . The blank according to  claim 22 , wherein the stiffening element includes multiple creases in the first and/or second fold line that align with the storage region of the blank. 
   
   
       24 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein the blank also includes at least one internal panel that is joined to the front or back panel along a third fold line, the internal panel aligning at least partly with the storage region. 
   
   
       25 . The blank according to  claim 24 , wherein the internal panel extends beyond the storage region to at least party align with side regions adjacent to the storage region. 
   
   
       26 . The blank according to  claim 24 , wherein the internal panel has edges that taper outwardly or recede inwardly away from side edges of the blank. 
   
   
       27 . The blank according to  claim 24 , wherein the internal panel includes three sub-panels of which the first sub-panel is joined to the front panel along a third fold line and folded inwardly (or downwardly) between the front and back panels, the second sub-panel is joined to the first sub-panel along a fourth fold line and folded inwardly (or upwardly) between the front panel and the first sub-panel, and the third sub-panel is joined to the second sub-panel along a fifth fold line and folded downwardly between the second sub-panel and the front panel. 
   
   
       28 . The blank according to  claim 27 , wherein any one or a combination of the first, second or third sub-panels extends longitudinally across the storage region and tapers in a direction moving away from the storage region.